Curved backlight and system for stray light control

ABSTRACT

A display including a curved backlight and system for stray light control is disclosed. In embodiments, the curved backlight includes a curved substrate and an array of light sources disposed on the curved substrate, collimating optics, and a diffuser. The array of light sources includes a first group of light sources and a second group of light sources. The collimating optics are arranged to receive and collimate light only from the first group of light sources. The diffuser is arranged to receive and diffuse the collimated light from the collimating optics and light from the second group of light sources. The display further includes a liquid crystal layer arranged to receive light generated by the array of light sources and to display an image. The display further includes a controller configured to control the array of light sources such that at least some of the light sources emit light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/015,277, filed Jun. 22, 2018, entitled BACKLIGHTAND DISPLAY FOR STRAY LIGHT CONTROL, naming Rick J. Johnson and AlbertN. Stuppi as inventors, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Aircraft typically have displays to be seen by the aircraft pilot andother passengers of the aircraft. A pilot may be limited in moving theirhead within a headbox, and thus views the display within a certainangular range (viewing envelope). Thus, the pilot may view the displayonly within a viewing angular range. Additionally, stray light fromdisplays can cause distracting reflections from windscreens, such ascockpit canopies. Canopy reflection may be an even greater concernduring night time operations, as these reelections may obscure thepilot's vision of the space outside of the canopy, thereby reducingsituational awareness. On the other hand, stray light is typically lessof a problem during daytime viewing. Furthermore, because geometry andspace constraints vary among cockpits, previous approaches designed toaddress these issues, including polarization and/or modification ofbacklight candela distributions, may be incompatible with certainaircraft geometries.

SUMMARY

A display including a curved backlight and system for stray lightcontrol is disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the curved backlightincludes a curved substrate, an array of light sources disposed on thecurved substrate, collimating optics, and a diffuser. The array of lightsources may include a first group of light sources and a second group oflight sources. The collimating optics may be arranged to receive andcollimate light from the first group of light sources, but not thesecond group of light sources. In one or more embodiments, the diffusermay be arranged to receive and diffuse the collimated light, directednormal to the diffuser, from the collimating optics and light from thesecond group of light sources. In one or more embodiments, the displayfurther includes a liquid crystal layer arranged to receive lightgenerated by the array of light sources and to display an image. In oneor more embodiments, the display further includes a controllerconfigured to control the array of light sources such that at least someof the light sources emit light.

In some embodiments of the display, the display further includes atleast one light control layer configured to receive light from thecurved backlight and restrict light having an angular profile.

In some embodiments of the display, the at least one light control layerincludes at least one micro-louver film portion.

In some embodiments of the display, the collimating optics includes anarray of lenses, corresponding of the lenses arranged to collimate lightfrom the first group of light sources, wherein each light source of thefirst group is arranged at a respective focal point of a correspondinglens of the array of lens, and no light sources of the second group isarranged at any focal point of a lens of the array of lens.

In some embodiments of the display, the array of light sources includesan array of light emitting diodes.

In some embodiments of the display, the diffuser includes a holographicdiffuser.

In some embodiments of the display, the collimating optics includes atleast one of spherical lenses or cylindrical lenses.

In some embodiments of the display, the display further includes the asubstrate supporting the array of light sources.

In some embodiments of the display, the substrate includes a printedwiring board.

In some embodiments of the display, the controller is further configuredto control the array of light sources such that only first group lightsources emit light.

In some embodiments of the display, the controller is further configuredto control the array of light sources such that the first group lightsources emit light.

In some embodiments of the display, the second group of light sourcesincludes a third group of light sources in a peripheral region of thearray and a fourth group of light source in an inner region of the arraywithin the peripheral region wherein the controller is configured tocontrol the array of light sources such that a first and third group oflight sources emits light, but not the fourth group of light sources.

A display including a curved backlight and system for stray lightcontrol is disclosed, in accordance with one or more additionalembodiments of this disclosure. In one or more embodiments, the curvedbacklight includes an array of light sources disposed on a curvedsubstrate, refracting optics arranged to receive and diverge light fromthe array of light sources, a Fresnel lens arranged to receive thediverged light from the refracting optics and to converge the divergedlight to provide converged light within a predetermined size at a focalplane, and a diffuser configured to receive the light from the Fresnellens and diffuse the light. The display further includes a liquidcrystal layer configured to receive the light generated by the array oflight sources, wherein the liquid crystal layer is configured totransmit the light through the liquid crystal layer to display an imageon a surface of the liquid crystal layer.

In some embodiments of the display, the display further includes atleast one light control layer configured to receive light from thecurved backlight and restrict light having an angular profile.

In some embodiments of the display, the at least one light control layerincludes at least one micro-louver film portion.

In some embodiments of the display, the refracting optics includes anarray of lenses corresponding to the array of light sources.

In some embodiments of the display, the array of light sources includesan array of light emitting diodes.

In some embodiments of the display, the diffuser includes a holographicdiffuser.

In some embodiments of the display, the collimating optics include atleast one of a spherical lens or a cylindrical lens.

In some embodiments of the display, the substrate includes a printedwiring board.

In some embodiments of the display, the controller is configured tocontrol the array of light sources such that only first group lightsources emit light.

In some embodiments of the display, the second group of light sourcesincludes a third group of light sources in a peripheral region of thearray and a fourth group of light source in an inner region of the arraywithin the peripheral region wherein the controller is configured tocontrol the array of light sources such that a first and third group oflight sources emits light, but not the fourth group of light sources.

This Summary is provided solely as an introduction to subject matterthat is fully described in the Detailed Description and Drawings. TheSummary should not be considered to describe essential features nor beused to determine the scope of the Claims. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that both the foregoing Summary and the following DetailedDescription are provided for example and explanatory only and are notnecessarily restrictive of the subject matter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. The use of the same reference numbers in different instances inthe description and the figures may indicate similar or identical items.Various embodiments or examples (“examples”) of the present disclosureare disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In general,operations of disclosed processes may be performed in an arbitraryorder, unless otherwise provided in the claims. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a viewing angular range for a viewing arrangement, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a schematic of a display, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B is a top view of the arrangement of light sources of a display,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a display with an arrangement of light sources whereeach light source is controlled to emit light, in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4A illustrates a display with an arrangement of the light sourceswhere light sources in the periphery of the display are controlled toemit light, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4B is a top view of the arrangement of light sources of a display,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of a display with a Fresnel lens, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of a display with a Fresnel lens, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display with a curvedbacklight, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display with a curvedbacklight, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of a display with a flatbacklight, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a display with a curvedbacklight, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a view of a portion of a light control film, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram depicting various viewing angles of adisplay relative to a normal axis of the display 600, in accordance withone or more embodiments;

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate a display with a curved backlight viewed atvarying viewing angles, in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate a display with a flat backlight viewed atvarying viewing angles;

FIG. 13A illustrates a display with a curved backlight having asubstantially semicircular curvature cross-section across a horizontalaxis, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 13B illustrates a display with a curved backlight having a variable(e.g., flared) curvature cross-section along a vertical axis, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13C illustrates a display with a curved backlight having an angledcurvature cross-section having one or more substantially straightportions that meet at an angle along a horizontal axis, in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 13D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display including apiecewise light control film and a curved backlight, in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before explaining one or more embodiments of the disclosure in detail,it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in theirapplication to the details of construction and the arrangement of thecomponents or steps or methodologies set forth in the followingdescription or illustrated in the drawings. In the following detaileddescription of embodiments, numerous specific details may be set forthin order to provide a more thorough understanding of the disclosure.However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of the instant disclosure that the embodiments disclosedherein may be practiced without some of these specific details. In otherinstances, well-known features may not be described in detail to avoidunnecessarily complicating the instant disclosure.

As used herein a letter following a reference numeral is intended toreference an embodiment of the feature or element that may be similar,but not necessarily identical, to a previously described element orfeature bearing the same reference numeral (e.g., 1, 1a, 1b). Suchshorthand notations are used for purposes of convenience only and shouldnot be construed to limit the disclosure in any way unless expresslystated to the contrary.

Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to aninclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or Bis satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B isfalse (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (orpresent), and both A and B are true (or present).

In addition, use of “a” or “an” may be employed to describe elements andcomponents of embodiments disclosed herein. This is done merely forconvenience and “a” and “an” are intended to include “one” or “at leastone,” and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obviousthat it is meant otherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “someembodiments” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment disclosed herein. The appearances of thephrase “in some embodiments” in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, and embodimentsmay include one or more of the features expressly described orinherently present herein, or any combination of sub-combination of twoor more such features, along with any other features which may notnecessarily be expressly described or inherently present in the instantdisclosure.

As noted previously herein, stray light from aircraft cockpit displayscan cause distracting reflections from windscreens, such as cockpitcanopies. Canopy reflection may be an even greater concern during nighttime operations, as these reelections may obscure the pilot's vision ofthe space outside of the canopy, thereby reducing situational awareness.On the other hand, stray light is typically less of a problem duringdaytime viewing. Additionally, the geometry and space constraints varyamong cockpits. Thus, certain adjustments designed to address theseissues, including polarization and/or modification of backlight candeladistributions, may be incompatible with certain aircraft geometries.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed tocuring one or more of the shortfalls of the previous approachesidentified above. Broadly, embodiments of the present disclosure aredirected to a display configured to minimize unwanted reflections on thedisplay. Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a displaywherein only a subset of an array of light sources are collimated anddirected normal to a diffuser. Additional embodiments of the presentdisclosure are directed to a display including refracting opticsconfigured to receive and diverge light from an array of light sources.Further embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a displayincluding a curved backlight configured to direct light from the displayto a viewer in such a manner as to minimize unwanted reflections.

Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein regarding adisplay with two groups of light sources, a first group where the lightis collimated and directed normal to a diffuser, and a second groupwhere the light is not collimated but directed to the diffuser, providefor an increased flexibility in controlling the direction and viewingangular range of the light emitted from the display, while at the sametime reducing stray light. The light from the display may be controlledby controlling whether light is emitted from the light sources of thegroups.

In the case that the diffuser is low scattering, and provides somedirectionality of the light impinging on the diffuser, the light may becontrolled to reduce light outside the viewing angular range of thedisplay relative to a user, such as an aircraft pilot. Stray lightreflections may be reduced. The display brightness for a given powerapplied to the display may be reduced. Thus, power savings is achievedas well as increased display brightness. Further, the display light maybe maintained within the viewing angular range, while reducing lightoutside the viewing angular range.

Moreover, according to embodiments of the present disclosure disclosedherein regarding an array of light sources, corresponding lens array,and Fresnel lens, light from the display may be converged within apredetermined size to stay within a headbox. This allows for a moretailored headbox. The placement of the Fresnel lens allows for controlof light near a liquid crystal layer and does not impact the uniformillumination of the liquid crystal layer. The inclusion of the Fresnellens provides design flexibility.

The term collimated light herein includes substantially collimatedlight, which need not be perfectly collimated. Further, the termcollimated optics and collimated lens includes any optical elementarranged to reduce the divergence of light from the source.

FIG. 1 illustrates a viewing angular range for a viewing arrangement, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Moreparticularly, FIG. 1 illustrates a viewing angular range for a primaryviewing angular range (e.g., primary viewing envelope (VE)). The primaryviewing angular range is shown bounded by a solid line. As can be seen,the viewing angular range is expressed in terms of a horizontal viewingangle range and a vertical viewing angle range.

In general, the viewing angular range will depend on the relativeposition of the viewer and the display. In an environment where theviewer is a pilot of an aircraft, the viewing angular range may dependon the particular aircraft.

FIG. 2A is a schematic of a display 200, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. The display 200 may include, butis not limited to, an array of light sources 210 (light sources 210 aand 210 b), collimating optics 220, a diffuser 230 and a liquid crystallayer 240, and a controller 250. The substrate 260, light sources 210,collimating optics 220, and diffuser 230 together make up a backlight205.

The light sources 210 may be arranged on the substrate 260 to supportthe light sources 210. The substrate 260 may be, for example, a printedwiring board (PWB).

The light sources 210 may be, for example, sources of white light. Forexample, the light sources 210 may be light emitting diodes (LEDs),organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), other types of white lightsources, and the like.

The light sources 210 may include two groups of light sources. Forexample, light sources 210 may include a first group of light sources210 a and a second group of light sources 210 b. The first group oflight sources 210 a may be arranged relative to the collimating optics220 such that light from the light sources 210 a are collimated anddirected normal to the diffuser 230. The second group of light sources210 b may be arranged such the collimating optics 220 do not collimatethe second group of light sources 210 b, and the light from the secondgroup of light sources 210 b impinging on the diffuser 230 is notcollimated.

FIG. 2B is a top view of the arrangement of light sources 210 of adisplay 200, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. As noted previously herein, the light sources 210 mayinclude a first group of light sources 210 a and a second group of lightsources 210 b. The light sources 210 a are shown by dark circles, whilethe light sources 210 b are shown by open circles.

The collimating optics 220 may include an array of lenses 222. Forexample, the lenses 222 may be spherical or cylindrical lenses. Thelenses 222 may be other than spherical or cylindrical, and may have asurface defined by a function, such as a polynomial. The array of lens222 may be formed with any material known in the art including, but notlimited to, plastic, glass, and the like. The lenses 222 may have avariety of cross-section shapes. For example, lenses 222 may includecross-sections in the shape of a square, rectangle, or the like. Thecollimating optics 220 may be other than an array of lens, and mayinclude refractive and/or reflective elements. The lenses 222 may bearranged relative to the first group of light sources 210 a such thateach of the light sources 210 a is arranged at a focal point of arespective of the lenses 222. Further, the lenses 222 may be arrangedrelative to the second group of light sources 210 b such that no lightsources 210 b are arranged at any focal point of a lens 222 of the arrayof lenses 222.

The diffuser 230 is arranged to receive and diffuse the collimatedlight, directed normal to the diffuser 230, from the collimating optics220. Thus, the diffuser 230 receives collimated light originating fromthe first group of light sources 210 a which is collimated by thecollimating optics 220 and directed to the diffuser 230. The diffuser230 further receives light from the second group of light sources 210 bwhich is not collimated and diffuses that light. The diffuser 230 mayprovide sufficient diffusion such that the collimating optics 220 andthe light sources 210 are not visible when viewing the display 200.

The diffuser 230 may be a low diffusion diffuser such that light is notsignificantly scattered beyond what is needed to mask the collimatingoptics 220 and the light sources 210. A low diffusion diffuser may be,for example, a holographic diffuser. The low diffusion reduces theamount of light from the first group of light sources 210 a which isscattered, and thus reduces the amount of stray light due to lightscattering.

The low diffusion diffuser 230 provides for a narrower lightdistribution for collimated light impinging normal to the diffuser 230,as compared to uncollimated light impinging on the diffuser 230. Inparticular, the low diffusion diffuser is such that the collimated lightdirected normal to the diffuser 230 and originating from the first groupof light sources 210 a, which collimated light is not scattered,provides a light distribution pattern which is relatively narrow inangular range. On the other hand, the light originating from the secondgroup of light sources 210 b which is not scattered provides a lightdistribution pattern which is relatively larger in angular range becausethe light from second group is not collimated by the collimating optics220. Thus, the low diffusion diffuser 230 may reduce the amount of lightwhich is directed out of the viewing angular range at least forcollimated light impinging normal to the low diffusion diffuser 230.Thus, controlling the light sources 210 such that the first group oflight sources 210 a emit light, but the second group of light sources210 b does not emit light provides for a light distribution pattern thatis relatively narrow in angular range.

The liquid crystal layer 240 receives light from the diffuser 230 andprovides an image which may be viewed by a viewer (e.g., pilot). Theliquid crystal layer 240 may include liquid crystal material, regions ofwhich may be transparent or opaque based on an appropriate voltage beingapplied to the regions of the liquid crystal material. The liquidcrystal layer 240 may further include color filters (not shown) if thedisplay is a color display.

The controller 250 may include a processor 252 and a memory 254, forexample. The processor 252 performs certain functions, for example basedon software in the memory 254. The controller 250 is configured tocontrol the array of light sources 210 such that at least a subset ofthe array of light sources 210 emit light. For example, as shown in FIG.2A, only the first group of light sources 210 a may be controlled toemit light, while the second groups of light sources 210 b arecontrolled such that they do not emit light.

As shown in FIG. 2A, the controller 250 may be configured to control thearray of light sources 210 such that only the first group of lightsources 210 a emit light. As mentioned above, controlling the lightsources 210 such that the first group of light sources 210 a emit light,but the second group of light sources 210 b do not emit light providesfor a light distribution pattern that is relatively narrow in angularrange. At the same time the diffuser 230 provides diffused lightsufficient to provide a uniform light background that masks the lightsources 210 and the collimating optics 220. This arrangement isappropriate for night time operation where stray light outside theviewing angular range may be an issue.

FIG. 3 illustrates a display 200 with an arrangement of light sources210 where each light source 210 is controlled to emit light, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It isnoted herein that FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2A, except that in FIG. 3all of the light sources 210 a and 210 b are controlled by thecontroller 250 to emit light. As discussed above, the second group oflight sources 210 b provide a relatively wider light distribution. Thus,the arrangement of FIG. 3 may be appropriate for environments where awider light distribution outside of the diffuser 230 is acceptable, suchas when light outside the viewing angular range is acceptable. Forexample, a wider light distribution may be acceptable in daytimeoperations, when reflections on the display 200 are less of a concern.Further, it is contemplated herein that controlling the light sources(via controller 250) such that both light sources 210 a and lightsources 210 b may provide for a display 200 with increased brightness.Such increased display brightness is appropriate for daytime operations.

FIG. 4A illustrates a display 200 with an arrangement of the lightsources 210 where light sources 210 in the periphery of the display 200are controlled to emit light, in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure. FIG. 4B is a top view of the arrangement oflight sources 210 of a display 200, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure.

More particularly, FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an arrangement where thesecond group of light sources 210 b includes a third group of lightsources 210 b 1 and a fourth group of light sources 210 b 2. FIG. 4A issimilar to FIG. 3, except for the particular light sources 210 that arecontrolled by the controller 250 to emit light. The third group of lightsources 210 b 1 are arranged in a peripheral region 290 of the array oflight sources 210, while the fourth group of light sources 210 b 2 arearranged in an inner region 280 of the array within the peripheralregion 290.

FIG. 4B is a top view showing the arrangement of the first group oflight sources 210 a and the second group of light sources 210 b forcontrol as provided in FIG. 4A. The light sources 201 a are shown bydark circles, while the light sources 210 b are shown by open circles.

In the arrangement of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the controller 250 is configuredto control the array of light sources 210 so that the first group oflight sources 210 a emit light. The controller 250 is further configuredto control the array of light sources 210 so that the third group oflight sources 210 b 1 in the peripheral region 290 emit light, and tocontrol the fourth group of light sources 210 b 2 arranged in the innerregion 280 so that they do not emit light.

Controlling the third group of light sources 210 b 1 in the peripheralregion 290 to emit light allows for light from the third group of lightsources 210 b 1 to be directed back to a viewer of the display 200, andmore light may be directed to the viewer. This can be beneficial, forexample, in night operations (as well as in daytime operations) using awide display where the edges of the display 200 would have increasedlight illumination due to light from the peripheral region 290.Typically, for a larger display 200, a viewer views the edges of thedisplay 200 at a significantly different angle than the center, wherethe edge of the display 200 would ordinarily have a reduced brightness.The increased light from the peripheral region compensates for theordinarily reduced brightness of the edge of the display. This will bediscussed in further detail with respect to FIGS. 6-13D.

FIG. 5A is a schematic diagram of a display 500 with a Fresnel lens 525,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.The display 500 may include, but is not limited to, an array of lightsources 510, refracting optics 520, a Fresnel lens 525, a diffuser 530,a liquid crystal layer 540, and a controller 550. The substrate 560,light sources 510, refracting optics 520, Fresnel lens 525, and diffuser530 together make up a backlight 505.

The light sources 510 may be arranged on the substrate 560 to supportthe light sources 510. The substrate 560 may be, for example, a printedwiring board (PWB). The light sources 510 may be, for example, sourcesof white light. For example, the light sources 510 may be light emittingdiodes (LEDs), or may be other types of white light sources.

The refracting optics 520 may be arranged to receive light from thelight sources 510, and to diverge the light received from the lightsources 510. The refracting optics 520 may be arranged at a distancefrom light sources 510 such that the refracting optics 520 partiallycollimates light from the light sources 510, but the light has somedivergence. The collimating optics 520 may include an array of lenses522. For example, the lenses 522 may be spherical or cylindrical lenses.The lenses 522 may be other than spherical or cylindrical, and may havea surface defined by a function, such as a polynomial. The array of lens522 may be formed with any material known in the art including, but notlimited to, plastic, glass, and the like. The lenses 522 may have avariety of cross-section shapes. For example, lenses 522 may includecross-sections in the shape of a square, rectangle, or the like. Therefracting optics 520 may be made of other than an array of lenses andmay include refractive or reflective optics.

The Fresnel lens 525 may be arranged to receive the diverged light fromthe refracting optics 520, and to converge the diverged light to provideconverged light with a predetermined size 572 at a focal plane 570 ofthe display 500. The Fresnel lens 525 may be circularly symmetric aboutits optical axis, or other than circularly symmetric. For example, theFresnel lens 525 may be more elliptical with the focal length at the topand bottom being shorter that the left and right focal lengths.

The predetermined size 572 may correspond, for example, to a size of aheadbox 574 of a pilot of an aircraft. Thus, the optics of the display500, including the refracting optics 520 relative to the light sources,and the Fresnel lens 525 direct light toward a predetermined size at thefocal plane 570. This arrangement provides viewing privacy for theviewer who has a head positioned within the head box 574.

The liquid crystal layer 540 is arranged such that the converged lightfrom the Fresnel lens 525 passes through the liquid crystal layer 540.The liquid crystal layer 540 may include liquid crystal material,regions of which may be transparent or opaque based on an appropriatevoltage being applied to the regions of the liquid crystal material. Theliquid crystal layer 540 may further include color filters (not shown)if the display is a color display.

The diffuser 530 may be arranged between the Fresnel lens 525 and theliquid crystal layer 540 such that the converged light from the Fresnellens 525 passes through and is diffused by the diffuser 530. Thediffuser 530 may be a low diffusion diffuser such that light is notsignificantly scattered beyond what is needed to mask the refractingoptics 520 and the light sources 510. A low diffusion diffuser may be,for example, a holographic diffuser. The low diffusion reduces theamount of light from the light sources 510 which is scattered, and thusreduces the amount of stray light due to light scattering.

FIG. 5B is a schematic diagram of a display 500 with a Fresnel lens 525,in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Inembodiments, as noted previously herein, one or more components of thebacklight 505 may be curved. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, thebacklight 505 may include a curved substrate 560. In some embodiments,the array of light sources 510 may be disposed on the curved substrate560. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the collimating optics 520 may becurved such that a curve of the collimating optics 520 (e.g., lenses522) substantially match and correspond to a curve of the curvedsubstrate 560 and light sources 510.

It is noted herein that the relative configuration of the backlight 505as shown in FIG. 5B is not to be regarded as a limitation on the scopeof the present disclosure, unless noted otherwise herein. In thisregard, it is contemplated that additional, alternative, and/or fewercomponents of the backlight 505 may be curved. For example, inadditional and/or alternative embodiments, the diffuser 530 of thebacklight 505 may also be curved.

Embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosed herein regarding adisplay 200, 500 with two groups of light sources 210, 510, a firstgroup of light sources 210 a, 510 a where the light is collimated anddirected normal to a diffuser 230, 530, and a second group of lightsources 210 b, 510 b, where the light is not collimated but directed tothe diffuser 230. It is contemplated herein hat embodiments of thepresent disclosure may provide for an increased flexibility incontrolling the direction and viewing angular range of the light emittedfrom the display 200, 500, while at the same time reducing stray lightwhich may lead to reflections. The light from the display 200, 500 maybe controlled by controlling which groups of light sources 210, 510 emitlight.

In the case that the diffuser 230, 530 is low scattering, and providessome directionality of the light impinging on the diffuser 230, 530, thelight may be controlled to reduce light outside the viewing angularrange of the display 200, 500 relative to a user, such as an aircraftpilot. The display 200, 500 brightness for a given power applied to thedisplay 200, 500 may be reduced. Thus, power savings is achieved as wellas increased display 200, 500 brightness. Further, the display light maybe maintained within the viewing angular range, while reducing lightoutside the viewing angular range.

Moreover, according to embodiments of the inventive concepts disclosedherein regarding an array of light sources 210, 510, corresponding lensarray 222, 522, and Fresnel lens 525, light from the display 200, 500may be converged within a predetermined size to stay within a headbox.This allows for a more tailored headbox. The placement of the Fresnellens 525 allows for control of light near a liquid crystal layer 240,540 and does not impact the uniform illumination of the liquid crystallayer 240, 540. In this regard, it is contemplated herein that theinclusion of the Fresnel lens 525 may provide design flexibility.

As noted previously herein, a viewer may view the edges of a display200, 500 at a significantly different angle than the center of thedisplay 200, 500. Depending on the configuration of optical elementswithin the display 200, 500, the varying viewing angles at the edges ofthe display 200, 500 may result in the edges of the display 200, 500exhibiting a reduced brightness. This issue is exacerbated byincreasingly large displays.

Increasing the light produced in a peripheral region of the display 200,500, as shown and described with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B, may includeone technique for addressing this issue. The increased light from theperipheral region may compensate for the ordinarily reduced brightnessof the edge of the display 200, 500. It is further contemplated hereinthat one or more of the shortfalls of previous approaches, includingvarying brightness levels and display reflections, may be addressed bycurving the backlight of a display (e.g., display 200, 500).Accordingly, additional and/or alternative embodiments of the presentdisclosure are directed to the use of a curved backlight. This may befurther understood with reference to FIGS. 6-6F.

FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display 600 with acurved backlight 605, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

In embodiments, the display 600 includes a non-flat (e.g., curved)backlight 605, one or more light control films/layers 603, and a liquidcrystal layer 640. It is noted herein that any description associatedwith the backlights 205, 505 may be regarded as applying to backlight605. Conversely, any description associated with the backlight 605 maybe regarded as applying to backlights 205, 505. In this regard, thecurved backlight 605 may include, but is not limited to, a curvedsubstrate, an array of light sources, collimating optics, and adiffuser.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the one or more light control films 603 may bedisposed on the curved backlight 605 and may be curved. The one or morelight control films 603 may include any light control films/layers knownin the art including, but not limited to, privacy films, lightredirecting films, and the like. In additional and/or alternativeembodiments, the one or more light control layers 603 may besubstantially flat/planar. Each of the one or more non-flat lightcontrol films 104 may include or be implemented as a micro-louver film.In some implementations, each of the one or more light control films 603may be affixed to a substrate (e.g., liquid crystal layer 640) anotherlight control film, or another element of the display 600. The one ormore light control films 603 may be implemented as, or included in, oneor more light control layers. In some embodiments, at least one of theone or more light control films 603 are implemented as or includedwithin a piecewise light control layer (as described in further detailherein with respect to FIG. 13D). In some embodiments, the liquidcrystal layer 640, the one or more light control films 603, and thecurved backlight 605 are conformally curved (e.g., having the samecurvature shape) such that the one or more light control films 603 canbe positioned intimately in front of the curved backlight 605.

FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display 600 with acurved backlight 605, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

In some embodiments, one or more components of display 600 may becurved. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, a display 600 may include acurved backlight 605, a curved light control film 603, and a flat/planarliquid crystal layer 640. In embodiments with one or more curvedcomponents/layers (e.g., curved backlight 605, curved light controllayer 603, and the like) and one or more flat/planar layers (e.g., flatliquid crystal layer 640), the display 600 may include one or more gaps607. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the display 600 may include a gap607 between the one or more light control films 603 and the liquidcrystal layer 640. It is contemplated herein that the one or more gaps607 may include empty spaces. In additional and/or alternativeembodiments, the one or more gaps 607 may be formed from a materialwhich has little/no effect on the performance of the display 600.

FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of a display 700 with a flatbacklight 705, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

As may be seen in FIG. 7, a viewer 701 viewing the display 700 may viewthe display 700 at varying angles, depending on the portion of thedisplay 700 which is being viewed. For example, a viewer 701 viewing thecenter of the display 700 may view the display 700 at a first angle,while viewer 701 viewing an edge of the display 700 may view the display700 at a second angle different from the first angle.

Oftentimes, displays include micro-louver films (e.g., light controlfilms 703) configured to direct light produced by the display 700 suchthat the display may only be viewed at particular angles. However,micro-louver films (e.g., light control films 703) typically deliveroptimal performance only when viewed along a louver axis 707.Additionally, the louver angle, pitch, and thickness of a micro-louverfilm (e.g., light control film 703) typically does not change across thefilm. In this regard, while the viewing angle of a viewer 701 may changeacross portions of the display 700, the louver angle may not changeaccordingly. This may result in decreased luminance when viewing theedges of the display 700. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, at the edgesof the display 700, a viewing angle 709 of the viewer 701 and the louveraxis 707 may be offset by an offset angle, resulting in decreasedluminance toward the edges of the display 700.

Furthermore, a constant louver axis 707 may result in light beingemitted at angles outside the field of view of the viewer 701, which maylead to unwanted reflections. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the flatbacklight 705 with a constant louver axis 707 may emit light at anglesoutside of the viewer's field of view, which may then reflect off acanopy surface 711 and result in unwanted canopy reflections. In thisregard, some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to usinga curved backlight to address one or more of these shortfalls ofprevious approaches.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of a display 800 with a curvedbacklight 805, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. In embodiments, display 800 includes a non-flat (e.g.,curved, angled, or the like) blacklight 805, one or more light controlfilms 803 (e.g., micro-louver film 803) and a liquid crystal layer 840.As noted previously herein with respect to FIGS. 2A, 3, 4A, 5, and 6,the backlight 805 may include, but is not limited to, a substrate, anarray of light sources, refracting optics, a diffuser, and the like.

In some embodiments, the display 800 may include a curved backlight 805.Additionally, display 800 may include a curved light control layer/film803 (such as a uniform or piecewise micro-louver film implemented as orincluded in a non-flat light control layer). The light control film 803may be disposed on the curved backlight 805. In this regard, the one ormore light control films 803 may be curved. In additional and/oralternative embodiments, the one or more light control films 803 may besubstantially flat/planar. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, theliquid crystal layer 840 may be flat. However, this is not to beregarded as a limitation of the present disclosure, unless notedotherwise herein. In this regard, the liquid crystal layer 840 may becurved without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. The liquid crystal layer 840 may include any emissivedisplay layer known in the art including, but not limited to, alight-emitting diode (LED) layer, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED)layer, and the like.

In embodiments, the curved backlight 805 may direct a higher proportionof light toward the pilot (e.g., viewer 801) as compared to the flatbacklight 705. In this regard, the curved backlight 805 may also beconfigured to prevent light being directed out of the field of view ofthe viewer 801 and towards canopy surfaces 811, thereby avoidingunwanted canopy reflections. As will be noted in further detail hereinwith respect to FIGS. 13A-13D, the curved backlight 805 may be fashionedin a curved, angular, or piecewise fashion in order to generate atailored luminance profile on the liquid crystal layer 840.Additionally, a desirable luminance profile may be achieved such thatthe direction of maximum transmittance of the one or more light controlfilms 803 may be aligned with the design eye point of the viewer 801across all, or a portion, of the display 800.

As shown in FIG. 8, the one or more light control films 703 may includeuniform micro-louver film having perpendicularly angled (i.e. angled 90degrees throughout the light control film) micro-louvers applied to anon-flat backlight 805. In additional and/or alternative embodiments,the micro-louver film may be implemented with non-perpendicularmicro-louver angles or as a piecewise micro-louver film, which may ormay not include a micro-louver portion including perpendicularmicro-louver angles. In some embodiments, the display 800 has a displayfield which reduces or eliminates the projection of the displayed imageon to the canopy surface 811, which improves a pilot's ability to seethrough the canopy surface 811. Additionally, transmitted light fromportions of the screen (e.g., liquid crystal layer 840) of the display800 with a curved backlight 805 and/or curved light control film 803 mayhave improved luminance to the pilot across the entire display surface.

In some embodiments, the one or more light control films 803 allow thetransmission of light having a predefined angular profile (e.g., basedon an angle of curvature 815, 825) of a particular portion (e.g., lightcontrol film edge portions 810, 820) of the light control film 803. Thepredefined angular profile achieved by the one or more light controlfilms 803 may be dependent upon one or more properties of the one ormore light control films 803 including, but not limited to, micro-louverangle, micro-louver pitch, micro-louver film thickness, and the like. Assuch, the light transmitted through the light control layer isrestricted at least in part to transmitted light having a most inwardlypointed direction (e.g., toward the central axis of the light controllayer, such as in the direction of the most inwardly pointingtransmitted light 813, 823) and a most edgewardly pointing direction(e.g., away from a central axis of the light control layer, such as inthe direction of the most edgewardly pointing transmitted light 811,821). For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the light allowed to betransmitted through a first light control film edge portion 810 includesmost edgewardly pointing transmitted light 811, louver pointingtransmitted light 812 (e.g., light transmitted with a same angle as thelouver angle), and most inwardly pointing transmitted light 813; and thelight allowed to be transmitted through an opposite light control filmedge portion 820 includes most edgewardly pointing transmitted light821, louver pointing transmitted light 822 (e.g., light transmitted witha same angle as the louver angle), and most inwardly pointingtransmitted light 823. In some embodiments, the louver pointingtransmitted light 812, 822 is designed to point along a radius (e.g.,814, 824) of curvature between a corresponding portion (e.g., 810, 820)of the light control film 803 and a design eye point.

It is contemplated herein that many optical films (e.g., light controlfilms 803) are designed to exhibit optimal optical performance withlight directed normal to the films. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 5,optical films (e.g., light control films 803) may not exhibit heightenedoptical performance near the edges of a display 700 with a flatbacklight 705. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 8, by curving thebacklight 805, the backlight 805 may be configured to direct light tothe light control film 803 in a substantially normal orientation acrossthe entire light control film 803. Accordingly, it is contemplatedherein that a curved backlight 805 may improve the performance of theone or more light control films 803.

It is further contemplated herein that a curved backlight 805 mayprovide for improved flexibility with a wide array of light controlfilms 804. In previous approaches with flat backlights (e.g., backlight705), optical films must be biased at particular angles towards theviewer (e.g., viewer 701). For example, privacy films (e.g., lightcontrol films 703) may be fabricated with absorptive louvers tilted atan angle. However, the angle required for a given cockpit/flight deckgeometry may not be readily available, and fabricating custom lightcontrol films 703 may be time-consuming and expensive. Similarshortfalls may be applied to diffusers, prismatic light redirectionfilms (e.g., brightness enhancement films), and lens arrays. Thesemanufacturing limitations limit the ability to tailor luminance profilesacross a display for specific applications (e.g., military cockpits, andthe like). In this regard, by curving the backlight (e.g., curvedbacklight 805) the luminance profile may be tailored to fit specificapplications using currently and widely available light control films803.

In some embodiments, a display field of the display 800 may be definedat least in part by a display field angle, θ, which is an angle betweena direction of most edgewardly pointing transmitted light 819 through afirst edge portion 810 and a direction of most edgewardly pointingtransmitted light 821 through an opposite edge portion 820 of the lightcontrol film 803 (or display edges).

In some embodiments, a combination of at least (a) an angle of curvature(e.g., 815 or 825) at an edge portion (e.g., 810 or 820) of the curvedbacklight 805 and/or light control layer 803, and (b) particularmicro-louver film properties at the edge portion (e.g., 810 or 820)restricts transmission of edgewardly directed light (e.g., 819 or 821)from passing through the edge portion (e.g., 810 or 820) of the lightcontrol layer 803 in excess of a particular designed angle (e.g.,one-half of the design field angle, θ, for a non-flat light controllayer having a symmetric cross-section) relative to a centerlineperpendicularly passing through a center of the light control layer 803.In such embodiments, the display field may be defined with respect to atleast one axis by such designed angles at opposite edge portions (e.g.,810, 820) of the light control layer 803. In some embodiments, thedesigned angle is not more than 35 degrees, not more than 25 degrees,not more than 20 degrees, not more than 10 degrees, not more than 5degrees, not more than 4 degrees, or the like. Restriction of thetransmission of edgewardly directed light from passing through the edgeportions (e.g., 810, 820) of the light control layer 803 in excess of aparticular designed angle reduces the reflection of light from thedisplay off of nearby surfaces (such as the canopy surface 811).

FIG. 9 illustrates a view of a portion of a light control film 903, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Insome embodiments, the light control film 903 includes a micro-louverfilm. The light control film 903 may be configured to constrain light inone direction. Some embodiments may include two or more light controlfilms 903 positioned above or below one another, wherein each of the twoor more light control films 903 constrains light in a differentdirection (e.g., in the horizontal direction, in the vertical direction,or any diagonal direction). In some embodiments, the light control film903 is implemented as a micro-louver film. In some embodiments, themicro-louver film includes any of various suitable micro-louver filmproperties (e.g., micro-louver angle, micro-louver pitch, andmicro-louver film thickness). In some embodiments, the micro-louver filmincludes an optical substrate having very fine black louvers spaced at apitch across the film in the constrained direction. In some embodiments,each of the louvers is positioned within the film at a particular angle(e.g., perpendicular, less than 90 degrees, 85 degrees, 80 degrees, 45degrees, less than 45 degrees, or the like). In some embodiments, themicro-louver film has any of various suitable film thicknesses.Micro-louver film with a particular combination of micro-louver filmproperties affects how light is constrained in a particular direction.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram depicting various viewing angles of adisplay 1000 relative to a normal axis of the display 1000, inaccordance with one or more embodiments. In particular, FIG. 10illustrates a 0° viewing angle (e.g., along a normal axis of the display600), a 40° viewing angle, and a −20° viewing angle of the presentdisclosure.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate a display 11000 with a curved backlight, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.Comparatively, FIGS. 12A-12C illustrate a display 1200 with a flatbacklight. In particular, FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate a display 1100 havinga curved backlight as viewed at different viewing angles, as compared toFIGS. 12A-12C, which illustrate a display 1200 having a flat backlightas viewed at the different viewing angles. FIGS. 11A-11C illustratedisplay assemblies 1100A, 1100B, 1100C implemented with a representativecurved backlight and light control layer including a micro-louver filmin a curved (with a radius of curvature of approximately 29 inches)configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 11A, a display 1100A having a curved backlight asviewed at an angle of 40 degrees is shown. At 40 degrees, the displayassembly 1100A has a very low luminance profile across the entiredisplay assembly 1100A, which demonstrates that there is little straylight and would be little (if any) reflection of a displayed image off anearby surface at such an angle (as compared to a display 1200A having aflat backlight as shown in FIG. 12A).

Referring now to FIG. 11B, a display 1100B having a curved backlight ofa as viewed at an angle of zero degrees is shown. At zero degrees, thedisplay assembly 1000B has a very high luminance profile across theentire display 1100B. Additionally, by comparing FIGS. 11B and 12B, itmay be seen that the luminance profile of display 1100B illustrated inFIG. 11B is similar to that of display 1200B illustrated in FIG. 12B.

Referring now to FIG. 11C, a display 1100C having a curved backlight asviewed at an angle of −20 degrees is shown. At −20 degrees the display1100C has at least a moderate (at the circled left portion) to highluminance profile across the entire display 1100C. At −20 degrees, thedisplay 1100C provides a more uniform luminance gradient than a displayassembly 1200C having a flat backlight, as shown in FIG. 12C.

Referring now to FIG. 12A, a display 1200A having a flat backlight asviewed at an angle of 40 degrees is shown. At 40 degrees, the display1200A has a relatively high luminance on the left side, whichdemonstrates that there is a significant amount of stray light and wouldbe significant reflection of a displayed image off a nearby surface atsuch an angle.

Referring now to FIG. 12B, a display 1200B having a flat backlight asviewed at an angle of zero degrees is shown. At zero degrees, thedisplay 1200B has a very high luminance profile across the entiredisplay 1200B. Referring now to FIG. 12C, a display 1200C having a flatbacklight as viewed at an angle of −20 degrees is shown. At −20 degreesthe display 1200C has a relatively low (at the circled left portion) tohigh luminance profile across the entire display 1200C. At −20 degrees,the display 1200C has somewhat lower luminance and less uniformluminance gradient than display 1100C having a curved backlight as shownin FIG. 11C.

Comparing FIGS. 11A-11C with FIGS. 12A-12C, it may be demonstrated thatdisplays 1100A, 1100B, 1100C having a curved backlight offerimprovements over the displays 1200A, 1200B, 1200C having a flatbacklight because the displays 1100A, 1100B, 1100C reduce that amount ofstray light at wider viewing angles, and exhibit a more uniformluminance across the entire display at a 20 degree viewing angle.

Referring now to FIGS. 13A-13C, displays 1300 including curvedbacklights 1305 are depicted. FIG. 13A illustrates a display with acurved backlight having a substantially semicircular curvaturecross-section across a horizontal axis, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 13B illustrates a displaywith a curved backlight having a variable (e.g., flared) curvaturecross-section along a vertical axis, in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 13C illustrates a displaywith a curved backlight having an angled curvature cross-section havingone or more substantially straight portions that meet at an angle alonga horizontal axis, in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 13D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a display 1300 includinga piecewise light control film 1303 and a curved backlight 1305, inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Insome embodiments, the piecewise light control film is implemented as,included in, or affixed to a piecewise light control layer (e.g., a flator non-flat piecewise light control layer) having a plurality of lightcontrol portions. In some embodiments, the piecewise light control filmincludes a plurality of light control film portions (e.g., 1304A, 1304B,1304C, 1304D). In some embodiments, each of the plurality of lightcontrol film portions (e.g., 1304A, 1304B, 1304C, 1304D) is amicro-louver film portion. In one embodiment, the piecewise lightcontrol film includes a plurality of light control film portions (e.g.,1304A, 1304B, 1304C, 1304D) including a first light control film portion1304A, a second light control film portion 1304B, a third light controlfilm portion 1304C, and a fourth light control film portion 1304D. Inone embodiment, the first light control film portion 1304A is configuredto restrict light having a first angular profile. In one embodiment, thesecond light control film portion 1304B is configured to restrict lighthaving a second angular profile. In one embodiment, the third lightcontrol film portion 1304C is configured to restrict light having athird angular profile, wherein the third angular profile is the same asthe second angular profile. In one embodiment, the fourth light controlfilm portion 1304D is configured to restrict light having a fourthangular profile, wherein the fourth angular profile is different fromthe first angular profile, the second angular profile, and the thirdangular profile, and wherein the fourth angular profile is opposite(e.g., reverse angular profile) to the first angular profile.

In some embodiments, each of the light control film portions have aunique set of micro-louver film properties such that each of the lightcontrol film portions is configured to restrict light having a differentangular profile; however, in other embodiments, only some of the lightcontrol film portions have a different set of micro-louver filmproperties (e.g., micro-louver angle, micro-louver pitch, micro-louverfilm thickness, or micro-louver orientation) such that some of the lightcontrol film portions are configured to restrict light having adifferent angular profile than other portions of the light control filmportions. For example, as shown in FIG. 13D, light control film portions13048 and 1304C have the same micro-louver film properties including thesame micro-louver angle, while the first light control film portion1304A and the fourth light control film portion 1304D have differentmicro-louver film properties than the other light control film portions.In some embodiments, the piecewise light control portions are configuredacross the piecewise light control layer to provide any suitable lightdistribution across a display assembly. For example, in someembodiments, the piecewise light control portions each have micro louverfilm properties to angle transmitted light toward a design eye point.For example, as shown in FIG. 13D, light control film portions 1304A,1304B, 1304C, and 1304D, each include micro-louvers angled to allow thetransmission of light toward a design eye point. In some embodiments,piecewise light control layers are configured to reduce stray light andincrease luminance viewed across the entire display.

As shown in FIG. 13D, in one embodiment, the light allowed to betransmitted through the first light control film portion 1304A includesmost edgewardly pointing transmitted light 1311A, louver pointingtransmitted light 1312A (e.g., light transmitted with a same angle asthe louver angle), and most inwardly pointing transmitted light 1313A.Additionally, in one embodiment, the light allowed to be transmittedthrough the second light control film portion 1304B includes mostedgewardly pointing transmitted light 1311B, louver pointing transmittedlight 1312B (e.g., light transmitted with a same angle as the louverangle), and most inwardly pointing transmitted light 1313B. Also, in oneembodiment, the light allowed to be transmitted through the third lightcontrol film portion 1304C includes most edgewardly pointing transmittedlight 1311C, louver pointing transmitted light 1312C (e.g., lighttransmitted with a same angle as the louver angle), and most inwardlypointing transmitted light 1313C. Further, in one embodiment, the lightallowed to be transmitted through the fourth light control film portion1304D includes most edgewardly pointing transmitted light 1311D, louverpointing transmitted light 1312D (e.g., light transmitted with a sameangle as the louver angle), and most inwardly pointing transmitted light1313D. In one embodiment, a display field for the piecewise lightcontrol film may be defined at least in part by an angle between adirection of the most edgewardly pointing transmitted light (e.g.,1311A) through a first edge film portion (e.g., the first light controlfilm portion 1304A) and a direction of the most edgewardly pointingtransmitted light (e.g., 1311D) through an opposite edge film portion(e.g., the fourth light control film portion 1304A).

In some embodiments, the piecewise light control layer includes anysuitable configuration or arrangement of piecewise light controlportions with each light control portion having any suitable lightcontrol properties (e.g., micro-louver film properties) for particulardesign requirements. In some embodiments, the piecewise light controllayer includes any suitable number (such as two, three, four, 100, 1000,or more) of piecewise light control portions with each light controlportion having any suitable light control properties (e.g., micro-louverfilm properties) for particular design requirements. In someembodiments, the piecewise light control layer is non-flat, while inother embodiments, the piecewise light control layer is flat.

In some embodiments, the piecewise light control portions areimplemented as a plurality of parallel strip-shaped portions whichextend from one edge of the light control layer to an opposite end ofthe light control layer. Additionally, in some embodiments, the parallelstrip-shaped portions are uniformly sized, while in other embodiments,the parallel strip-shaped portions are non-uniformly sized. In someembodiments, the piecewise light control portions are implemented as aplurality of uniformly or non-uniformly sized light control tileportions; for example, the piecewise light control portions may beimplemented as a plurality of uniformly sized light control tileportions in an m by n grid (e.g., where m and n are positive integersgreater than or equal to 2 to form a grid layout (e.g., a grid of 2×2,3×2, 3×3, 4×2, 4×3, 4×4, . . . 100×100, or more). In some embodiments,the piecewise light control portions are implemented as a plurality ofwedge-shaped light control portions arranged radially about a point(e.g., a center point, or otherwise) of the piecewise light controllayer. In some embodiments, the piecewise light control layer may beimplemented to allow the transmission of any suitable distribution oftransmitted light by adjusting the micro-louver film properties of theplurality of piecewise light control portions of the piecewise lightcontrol layer.

Additionally, in some embodiments, a display assembly (or otherapparatus) may include two or more (e.g., two, three, four, or more)piecewise light control layers positioned one in front of the other(e.g., affixed to each other, affixed to a common substrate, affixed todifferent substrates or other elements which are abutting or spacedapart, or the like). For example, in some embodiments, a first piecewiselight control layer is configured to restrict light along a first axis(e.g. horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or the like), and a secondpiecewise light control layer is configured to restrict light along adifferent axis (e.g., an axis orthogonal to the first axis, or otherwisedifferent axis).

Although inventive concepts have been described with reference to theembodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, equivalents maybe employed and substitutions made herein without departing from thescope of the claims. Components illustrated and described herein aremerely examples of a system/device and components that may be used toimplement embodiments of the inventive concepts and may be replaced withother devices and components without departing from the scope of theclaims. Furthermore, any dimensions, degrees, and/or numerical rangesprovided herein are to be understood as non-limiting examples unlessotherwise specified in the claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A display comprising: a curved backlight including:a curved substrate; an array of light sources disposed on the curvedsubstrate, the array of light sources including a first group of lightsources and a second group of light sources; collimating optics arrangedto receive and collimate light from the first group of light sources,but not the second group of light sources; a diffuser arranged toreceive and diffuse the collimated light, directed normal to thediffuser, from the collimating optics and light from the second group oflight sources; a liquid crystal layer arranged to receive lightgenerated by the array of light sources and to display an image; and acontroller configured to control the array of light sources such that atleast some of the light sources emit light.
 2. The display of claim 1,further comprising at least one light control layer configured toreceive light from the curved backlight and restrict light having anangular profile.
 3. The display of claim 2, wherein the at least onelight control layer includes at least one micro-louver film portion. 4.The display of claim 1, wherein the collimating optics includes an arrayof lenses, corresponding of the lenses arranged to collimate light fromthe first group of light sources, wherein each light source of the firstgroup is arranged at a respective focal point of a corresponding lens ofthe array of lens, and no light sources of the second group is arrangedat any focal point of a lens of the array of lens.
 5. The display ofclaim 1, wherein the array of light sources includes an array of lightemitting diodes.
 6. The display of claim 1, wherein the diffuserincludes a holographic diffuser.
 7. The display of claim 1, wherein thecollimating optics includes at least one of a spherical lens or acylindrical lens.
 8. The display of claim 1, wherein the substrateincludes a printed wiring board.
 9. The display of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to control the array of light sources such thatonly the first group of light sources emit light.
 10. The display ofclaim 1, wherein the second group of light sources includes a thirdgroup of light sources in a peripheral region of the array and a fourthgroup of light source in an inner region of the array within theperipheral region wherein the controller is configured to control thearray of light sources such that a first and third group of lightsources emits light, but not the fourth group of light sources.